Global uncertainty is the new normal. Here’s why institutional legitimacy and resilience is crucial
Global uncertainty is the new normal. Here’s why institutional legitimacy and resilience is crucial
Publish Date: 2026-06-15 09:38:00
Source Domain: theconversation.com
- Uncertainty is the defining condition of our era, as seen in the unprecedented levels of the IMF’s World Uncertainty Index and the disconnection between major economic indicators and real-world outcomes.
- Societies weather uncertainty better when they have strong, inclusive institutions that stabilize expectations, distribute shocks fairly, and enable adaptation.
- Confusing uncertainty with risk can lead to wrong responses, especially in financial markets where optimistic predictions are favored over preparation for disruption.
- Resilience, as evidenced by Denmark’s energy strategy and Spain’s labor market reforms during the Covid-19 pandemic, relies more on long-term institutional capacity and political will than on brute financial firepower.
- Institutional legitimacy is crucial for effective governance under uncertainty; undermining this legitimacy can harm economic stability and growth.
- The importance of inclusive institutions has never been greater, as they act as a form of collective insurance against a future fraught with unpredictable shocks.